# Official Journal C 211/2006

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 211 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 492 September 2006 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 211

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 492 September 2006

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Information |
| | Commission |
| 2006/C 211/1 | Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 3 % on 1 September 2006 — Euro exchange rates | 1 |
| 2006/C 211/2 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4370 — ENB/Cogas Energy) (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| 2006/C 211/3 | Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 363/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2006/C 211/4 | Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 364/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| 2006/C 211/5 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 8 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Information

Commission

2006/C 211/1

Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 3 % on 1 September 2006 — Euro exchange rates

1

2006/C 211/2

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4370 — ENB/Cogas Energy) (
  1
  )

1

2

2006/C 211/3

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 363/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (
  1
  )

1

3

2006/C 211/4

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 364/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (
  1
  )

1

5

2006/C 211/5

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

8

| | III   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | Cedefop |
| 2006/C 211/6 | Call for proposals — ref: GP/D/ReferNet2/002/06 — ReferNet — European Network of Reference and Expertise in VET | 12 |

III   Notices

Cedefop

2006/C 211/6

Call for proposals — ref: GP/D/ReferNet2/002/06 — ReferNet — European Network of Reference and Expertise in VET

12

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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I Information

Commission

| 2.9.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 211/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.9.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 211/1

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Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations (1):

3 % on 1 September 2006

Euro exchange rates (2)

1 September 2006

(2006/C 211/01)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2817 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 150,30 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4599 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,67280 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,3160 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,5791 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 88,22 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 8,1070 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CYP | Cyprus pound | 0,5763 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 28,253 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 277,65 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6961 |
| MTL | Maltese lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,9685 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 3,5258 |
| SIT | Slovenian tolar | 239,57 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 37,723 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,8847 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6753 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4163 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,9695 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,9546 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 2,0147 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 231,14 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 9,2552 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,1936 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3485 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 658,34 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7000 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 64,995 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 34,2800 |
| THB | Thai baht | 48,077 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2817

JPY

Japanese yen

150,30

DKK

Danish krone

7,4599

GBP

Pound sterling

0,67280

SEK

Swedish krona

9,3160

CHF

Swiss franc

1,5791

ISK

Iceland króna

88,22

NOK

Norwegian krone

8,1070

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CYP

Cyprus pound

0,5763

CZK

Czech koruna

28,253

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

277,65

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6961

MTL

Maltese lira

0,4293

PLN

Polish zloty

3,9685

RON

Romanian leu

3,5258

SIT

Slovenian tolar

239,57

SKK

Slovak koruna

37,723

TRY

Turkish lira

1,8847

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6753

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4163

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,9695

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,9546

SGD

Singapore dollar

2,0147

KRW

South Korean won

1 231,14

ZAR

South African rand

9,2552

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,1936

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3485

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 658,34

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7000

PHP

Philippine peso

64,995

RUB

Russian rouble

34,2800

THB

Thai baht

48,077

---

(1)  Rate applied to the most recent operation carried out before the indicated day. In the case of a variable rate tender, the interest rate is the marginal rate.

(2)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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| 2.9.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 211/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.9.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 211/2

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4370 — ENB/Cogas Energy)

(2006/C 211/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 25 August 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Electrabel Nederland Beheermaatschappij B.V (‘ENB’, Netherlands), controlled by Electrabel S.A. (‘Electrabel’, Belgium), in turn controlled by SUEZ S.A. (France), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of part of Centraal Overijsselse Nutsbedrijven N.V. (‘Cogas Energy’, Netherlands) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 25 August 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Electrabel Nederland Beheermaatschappij B.V (‘ENB’, Netherlands), controlled by Electrabel S.A. (‘Electrabel’, Belgium), in turn controlled by SUEZ S.A. (France), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of part of Centraal Overijsselse Nutsbedrijven N.V. (‘Cogas Energy’, Netherlands) by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for SUEZ: international group active in the field of the management of public utilities in electricity, gas, energy services, water and waste management; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for SUEZ: international group active in the field of the management of public utilities in electricity, gas, energy services, water and waste management;

| — | for ENB: holding and finance company,which is a subsidiary of Electrabel, the core business of which is the generation of electricity, retail supply of electricity, natural gas and energy products and services, trading of electricity of natural gas and the management of distribution networks for electricity and gas; |
| --- | --- |

—

for ENB: holding and finance company,which is a subsidiary of Electrabel, the core business of which is the generation of electricity, retail supply of electricity, natural gas and energy products and services, trading of electricity of natural gas and the management of distribution networks for electricity and gas;

| — | for Cogas Energy: retail supply of electricity and natural gas in the Netherlands. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Cogas Energy: retail supply of electricity and natural gas in the Netherlands.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4370 — ENB/Cogas Energy, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4370 — ENB/Cogas Energy, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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| 2.9.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 211/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.9.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 211/3

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Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 363/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid

(2006/C 211/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| Aid No | XT 39/04 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Belgium |
| Region | French-speaking region of Wallonia |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Financial incentives for training company workers
  Training cheques (TC) |
| Legal basis | Décret relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises du 10 avril 2003 (publié au MB le 29 avril 2003)
  Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 1er avril 2004 portant exécution du décret du 10 avril 2003 relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises |
| Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company | Aid scheme | Annual overall amount | EUR 8,993 million |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Individual aid | Overall aid amount | |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Maximum aid intensity | Under Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

  50 TC (50 X EUR 15) per natural person or per single-person company

  400 TC per company with 2 to 50 workers registered with the National Social Security Office

  600 TC per company with 51 to 100 workers

  700 TC per company with 101 to 200 workers

  800 TC per company with 201 to 250 workers | Yes | |
| Date of implementation | 1.5.2004 |
| Duration of scheme or individual aid award | Until 31.12.2006 (+ exemption period of 6 months) |
| Objective of aid: | General training

  The Training Cheque system is intended to foster training in SMEs by giving them a grant to cover part of the expenditure incurred in enrolling their workers in general training programmes promoting the acquisition of broadly transferable skills | Yes |
| Specific training | No |
| Economic sectors concerned | All sectors eligible for training aid

  All professions in the commercial sector | Yes |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Name:
  Walloon Ministry of Employment and Training |
| Address:





  Rue des Moulins de Meuse 104 |
| B-5000 Namur |

Aid No

XT 39/04

Member State

Belgium

Region

French-speaking region of Wallonia

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Financial incentives for training company workers

Training cheques (TC)

Legal basis

Décret relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises du 10 avril 2003 (publié au MB le 29 avril 2003)

Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 1er avril 2004 portant exécution du décret du 10 avril 2003 relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 8,993 million

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

Under Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

50 TC (50 X EUR 15) per natural person or per single-person company

400 TC per company with 2 to 50 workers registered with the National Social Security Office

600 TC per company with 51 to 100 workers

700 TC per company with 101 to 200 workers

800 TC per company with 201 to 250 workers

Yes

Date of implementation

1.5.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006 (+ exemption period of 6 months)

Objective of aid:

General training

The Training Cheque system is intended to foster training in SMEs by giving them a grant to cover part of the expenditure incurred in enrolling their workers in general training programmes promoting the acquisition of broadly transferable skills

Yes

Specific training

No

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for training aid

All professions in the commercial sector

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Walloon Ministry of Employment and Training

Address:

Rue des Moulins de Meuse 104

B-5000 Namur

Large individual aid grants

Not applicable

| Aid No | XT 40/04 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Belgium |
| Region | French-speaking region of Wallonia |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Financial incentives for training company workers
  Adaptation Credit |
| Legal basis | Décret relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises du 10 avril 2003 (publié au MB le 29 avril 2003)
  Arrêté du Gouvernement Wallon du 1er avril 2004 portant exécution du décret du 10 avril 2003 relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises |
| Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company | Aid scheme | Annual overall amount | EUR 5,5 m |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Individual aid | Overall aid amount | |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Maximum aid intensity | Under Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation
  EUR 9 per hour of training and per worker in the case of an SME (as defined by the EU Regulation) and €10 if the SME is in a region eligible for regional aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty;
  EUR 6 per hour of training and per worker if the company is not an SME (as defined by the EU Regulation) and €7 if it is in a region eligible for regional aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty | Yes | |
| Date of implementation | 1.5.2004 |
| Duration of scheme or individual aid award | Until 31.12.2006 (+ exemption period of 6 months) |
| Objective of aid | General training | No |
| Specific training

  The Adaptation Credit system is intended to foster training in companies by giving them grants to cover part of the expenditure incurred in enrolling their workers in specific training programmes promoting the acquisition of skills that are not, or only slightly, transferable to other companies or other fields of work | Yes |
| Economic sectors concerned | All sectors eligible for training aid

  All professions in the commercial sector | Yes |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Name:
  Walloon Ministry of Employment and Training |
| Address:





  Rue des Moulins de Meuse 104 |
| B-5001 Namur |

Aid No

XT 40/04

Member State

Belgium

Region

French-speaking region of Wallonia

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Financial incentives for training company workers

Adaptation Credit

Legal basis

Décret relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises du 10 avril 2003 (publié au MB le 29 avril 2003)

Arrêté du Gouvernement Wallon du 1er avril 2004 portant exécution du décret du 10 avril 2003 relatif aux incitants financiers à la formation des travailleurs occupés par les entreprises

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 5,5 m

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

Under Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

EUR 9 per hour of training and per worker in the case of an SME (as defined by the EU Regulation) and €10 if the SME is in a region eligible for regional aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty;

EUR 6 per hour of training and per worker if the company is not an SME (as defined by the EU Regulation) and €7 if it is in a region eligible for regional aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty

Yes

Date of implementation

1.5.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006 (+ exemption period of 6 months)

Objective of aid

General training

No

Specific training

The Adaptation Credit system is intended to foster training in companies by giving them grants to cover part of the expenditure incurred in enrolling their workers in specific training programmes promoting the acquisition of skills that are not, or only slightly, transferable to other companies or other fields of work

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for training aid

All professions in the commercial sector

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Walloon Ministry of Employment and Training

Address:

Rue des Moulins de Meuse 104

B-5001 Namur

Large individual aid grants

Not applicable

---

| 2.9.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 211/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.9.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 211/5

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 364/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(2006/C 211/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| Aid No | XS 17/05 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | United Kingdom |
| Region | England and Wales |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) |
| Legal basis | The statutory basis enabling provision of discretionary support is as follows:






  (a) | Science and Technology Act 1965. Section 5(1)(a) and (b). Enables support for scientific research and for dissemination and practical application of its results; |

Aid No

XS 17/05

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

England and Wales

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)

Legal basis

The statutory basis enabling provision of discretionary support is as follows:

(a)

Science and Technology Act 1965. Section 5(1)(a) and (b). Enables support for scientific research and for dissemination and practical application of its results;

| (b) | Industrial Development Act 1982, Parts III and IV. Enables selective financial assistance in the form of advice, information and service provision. The relevant power in section 11 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 which enables the Secretary of State to make provision for the giving of advice (whether free of charge or otherwise) to persons carrying on or proposing to carry on a business, is the underlying enabling legislation for all the work which will be undertaken as a result of the Manufacturing Advisory Service |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Industrial Development Act 1982, Parts III and IV. Enables selective financial assistance in the form of advice, information and service provision. The relevant power in section 11 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 which enables the Secretary of State to make provision for the giving of advice (whether free of charge or otherwise) to persons carrying on or proposing to carry on a business, is the underlying enabling legislation for all the work which will be undertaken as a result of the Manufacturing Advisory Service

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

2005/2006: GBP 10 million

2006/2007: GBP 12 million

2007/2008: GBP 12 million

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

The scheme commenced in 2001 and was at first expected to last until April 2004 (XS 87/01). Summary information in relation to the SME block exemption was supplied to the Commission in 2001. The UK Government has now committed funding which will allow the scheme to continue for at least a further 3 years

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006 [it is our current intention, and we have made financial provisions to run the MAS scheme till at least 2008, subject to state aid conditions post 31.12.2006. We recognize that the current SME block exemption expires on 31.12.2006 and we will seek to comply with the Commission's regulations after this date.]

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs (excluding coal, steel, agriculture and export)

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Department of Trade and Industry

Address:

| Manufacturing Policy Unit |
| --- |
| Bay 442 |
| 151 Buckingham Palace Road |
| London SW1W 9ss |

Manufacturing Policy Unit

Bay 442

151 Buckingham Palace Road

London SW1W 9ss

Contact:

Martin Berry — Director

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

| Aid No | XS 27/05 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | United Kingdom |
| Region | West Wales & The Valleys Objective 1 Region |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Torfaen Credit Union Ltd |
| Legal basis | Industrial Development Act 1982
  Structural Funds Regulation 1260/99
  Structural Funds Regulation (National Assembly for Wales) 2000/906
  Structural Funds (National Assembly for Wales) Designation 2000
  Housing Construction & Regeneration Act 1996, Section 126 |
| Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company | Aid scheme | Annual overall amount | |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Individual aid | Overall aid amount | GBP 45 000 |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Maximum aid intensity | In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation | Yes | |
| Date of implementation | From 1.1.2005 |
| Duration of scheme or individual aid award | Until 31.12.2006 |
| Objective of aid | Aid to SMEs | Yes | |
| Economic sectors concerned | All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs | No |
| Limited to specific sectors | Yes |
| Other services (Financial Services) | Yes |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Name:
  National Assembly for Wales |
| Address:





  c/o Welsh European Funding Office |
| Cwm Cynon Business Park |
| Mountain Ash |
| CF45 4ER |

Aid No

XS 27/05

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

West Wales & The Valleys Objective 1 Region

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Torfaen Credit Union Ltd

Legal basis

Industrial Development Act 1982

Structural Funds Regulation 1260/99

Structural Funds Regulation (National Assembly for Wales) 2000/906

Structural Funds (National Assembly for Wales) Designation 2000

Housing Construction & Regeneration Act 1996, Section 126

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

GBP 45 000

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

From 1.1.2005

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

No

Limited to specific sectors

Yes

Other services (Financial Services)

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

National Assembly for Wales

Address:

c/o Welsh European Funding Office

Cwm Cynon Business Park

Mountain Ash

CF45 4ER

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

| Aid No | XS 201/05 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | United Kingdom |
| Region | West Wales and the Valleys Objective 1 Region |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Trustees of Coldbrook & Llanover Estate |
| Legal basis | Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/99
  The Structural Funds (National Assembly for Wales) Regulations 2000 (No 906/2000)
  The Structural Funds (National Assembly for Wales)
  Designation 2000 |
| Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company | Aid scheme | Annual overall amount | |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Individual aid | Overall aid amount | GBP 124 765 |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Maximum aid intensity | In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation | Yes | |
| Date of implementation | From: 29 November 2005 |
| Duration of scheme or individual aid award | Until: 1 December 2006 |
| Objective of aid | Aid to SMEs | Yes | |
| Economic sectors concerned | Limited to specific sectors | Yes |
| Other services (Property Development) | Yes |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Name:
  National Assembly for Wales |
| Address:





  c/o Welsh European Funding Office |
| Cwm Cynon Business Park |
| Mountain Ash CF45 4ER |

Aid No

XS 201/05

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

West Wales and the Valleys Objective 1 Region

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Trustees of Coldbrook & Llanover Estate

Legal basis

Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/99

The Structural Funds (National Assembly for Wales) Regulations 2000 (No 906/2000)

The Structural Funds (National Assembly for Wales)

Designation 2000

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

GBP 124 765

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

From: 29 November 2005

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until: 1 December 2006

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

Limited to specific sectors

Yes

Other services (Property Development)

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

National Assembly for Wales

Address:

c/o Welsh European Funding Office

Cwm Cynon Business Park

Mountain Ash CF45 4ER

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

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| 2.9.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 211/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.9.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 211/8

---

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2006/C 211/05)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

Application for registration according to Article 5 and Article 17(2)

‘TOME DES BAUGES’

EC No: FR/PDO/005/0254/18.9.2002

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

This summary has been drawn up for information only. For full details, interested parties are invited to consult the full version of the product specification obtainable from the national authorities indicated in section 1 or from the European Commission (1).

1.   responsible department in the Member State:

| Name: | Institut National des Appellations d'Origine |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | 51, rue d'Anjou |
| F-75008 Paris |

Name:

Institut National des Appellations d'Origine

Address:

51, rue d'Anjou

F-75008 Paris

Tel.:

(33-1) 53 89 80 00

Fax:

(33-1) 42 25 57 97

E-mail:

info@inao.gouv.fr

2.   Group:

| Name: | Syndicat Interprofessionnel de la Tome des Bauges (S.I.T.O.B.) |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | Communauté des communes des Bauges |
| F-73630 Le Châtelard |

Name:

Syndicat Interprofessionnel de la Tome des Bauges (S.I.T.O.B.)

Address:

Communauté des communes des Bauges

F-73630 Le Châtelard

Tel.:

(33-4) 79 52 11 20

Fax:

(33-4) 79 52 11 20

E-mail:

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Composition:

Producers/processors ( X ) Other ( )

3.   Type of product:

Class 1.3 — Cheese

4.   Specification

(summary of requirements under article 4(2))

4.1   Name: ‘Tome des Bauges’

4.2   Description: Tome des Bauges is a pressed, salted cheese with surface mould made from either whole or semi-skimmed raw cow's milk.

It is cylindrical with a diameter of 18 to 20cm, 3 to 5cm in height and weighs between 1.1 and 1.4 kg when matured.

It has a ridged surface with bumps and irregularities. The rind is 2 to 3mm thick, grey in colour and may have yellow to brown patches of naturally-developing mould.

The cheese is slightly firm to flexible, pale yellow in colour and may have small eyes.

It contains a minimum level of 45g of fat per 100g of cheese, after total desiccation and the dry matter weighs no less than 50g per 100g of cheese.

Tome des Bauges may be sold in portions provided, in particular, that all portions contain the rind on all three sides.

4.3   Geographical area: The production of milk and the production and maturing of cheese are carried out in the geographical area covering the following municipalities:

Municipalities in Haute-Savoie fully covered in the area: Allèves, Chapelle St Maurice (La), Chevaline, Cons Ste Colombe, Entrevernes, Gruffy, Leschaux, Quintal, St Eustache, Seythenex and Viuz-la-Chiésaz.

Municipalities partly covered in the area: Cusy, Doussard, Duingt, Faverges, Giez, Lathuile, Marlens and St-Jorioz.

Municipalities in Savoie fully covered in the area: Aillon-le-Jeune, Aillon-le-Vieux, Allondaz, Arith, Bellecombe en Bauges, Châtelard (Le), Cléry, Compôte (La), Curienne, Déserts (Les), Doucy-en-Bauges, Ecole, Jarsy, Lescheraines, Mercury, Montcel (Le), Motte-en -Bauges La), Noyer (Le), Pallud, Plancherine, Puygros, St-François-de-Sales, St-Offenge-Dessus, St-Offenge-Dessous, Ste-Reine, Thoiry, Thuile (La), Trevignin and Verrens-Arvey.

Municipalities partly covered in the area: Marthod, Montailleur, Pugny-Chatenod, St-Jean-d'Arvey, St Jean de la Porte, St Pierre d'Albigny and Thenesol.

The production area is defined in a specific map.

4.4   Proof of origin: The Tome des Bauges production site may only accept milk that complies with the PDO product specification. Milk collection compliant with the product specification must be carried out independently of all other collection rounds.

Each milk producer, processing and maturing facility fills in a ‘declaration of aptitude’ registered with the INAO, which enables the INAO to identify all operators. All operators must keep their registers and any other documents required for checking the origin, quality and production conditions of the milk and cheese at the INAOs disposal.

During production, an identification mark is affixed to the cheese. The shape and colour of the identification mark are set out in the product specification.

Lastly, products undergo analysis and organoleptic tests to ensure they met the quality and characteristics laid down in the PDO.

4.5   Method of production: The milk must come from herds of dairy cows of the ‘abondance’, ‘tarine’ or ‘montbéliarde’ breeds, and specimen of the ‘abondance’ and ‘tarine’ breeds must constitute at least 50 % of the herd. Moreover, the milk must come from herds that weigh an average of no more than 5 500 kg per lactating cow per year.

The staple feed of the herd is pasture grass during the summer period, for at least 120 days, and a constant supply of hay during the winter period. The level of dry fodder from outside of the geographical area is authorised to supplement local resources up to a maximum of 30 % of the farm's annual requirements for the whole herd. This supplement may contain packed dried alfalfa up to a maximum of 3kg per cow per day. Fodder preserved by silaging techniques, wrapping or any other process involving fermentation is not authorised. The use of additional fodder is limited and must not contain either urea or aromatising molecules.

The production site and associates facilities must not contain any system or equipment to rapidly heat milk to over 40 °C before renneting.

The milk is collected from an area within 15km of the production site.

The milk used is raw and whole. Milk for maturing may be semi-skimmed. This milk must be worked once a day.

The milk may not be either physically or chemically treated in any way, except to semi-skim and filter out macroscopic impurities. The addition of protein or fat is not authorised. The only authorised processing aids are salt, rennet and starter cultures obtained from traditional culture methods. Direct seeding cultures may only be used as a back-up.

The milk enters the production process within a minimum of 12 hours after traditional practice of keeping milk at a temperature of over 10 °C, or within a maximum of 28 hours where the milk is chilled to a temperature of between 6 °C and 10 °C, in which case the milk may not have undergone more than two consecutive treatments.

Renneting is carried out at a temperature of between 32° C and 35 °C. Production is carried out in an open copper vat with a maximum capacity of 3 000 litres.

After draining, the curds are the size of a kernel of maize. The curds are then heated to a temperature of between 35 °C and 40 °C. Neither the removal of lactose nor the addition of water are authorised.

The cheese is moulded either manually or by gravity. Neither extraction using a curd pump nor the use of micro-perforated moulds are authorised.

The cheeses are pressed by stacking for a minimum of 7 hours, during which time they are turned at least four times. The cheeses are dry salted manually and dairy cheeses may be placed in brine. The cheeses are then matured for at least five weeks from the date of renneting.

They are stored at a temperature no less than 4 °C.

4.6   Link: Tome des Bauges cheese is named after the Alpine massif where it originates. There is evidence that tome or tomme existed in this region several centuries ago and traditional methods of producing tome in cheese-making cooperatives (local dairies) and high mountain pastures survived despite the industrial production of well-known cheeses.

The Bauges massif has a very particular topography. It is a limestone massif comprising a closed valley surrounded by high cliffs on the edges. The area features pasture land, even at altitude, and has a mountain climate, with heavy rainfall throughout the year and very low temperatures during the winter.

The combination of geography and climate affords the area great potential to produce fodder and favours a wealth of varied, local flora.

Milk intended for the production of Tome des Bauges has a rather high pH level, which led cheese producers to use mature milk. This technique of slow lactic acidification particularly favours the action of endogenous milk flora.

The diversity of flora in the massif and the milk maturing practices required due to the acidity of the milk have combined to produce a cheese with a distinctive character.

The conditions to produce the PDO have been defined in order to maintain the local and traditional practices and for these factors to be brought out in the product.

4.7   Inspection body:

| Name: | I.N.A.O. |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | 51, rue d'Anjou |
| F-75008 Paris |

Name:

I.N.A.O.

Address:

51, rue d'Anjou

F-75008 Paris

Tel.:

(33-1) 53 89 80 00

Fax:

(33-1) 42 25 57 97

E-mail:

info@inao.gouv.fr

| Name: | D.G.C.C.R.F. |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | 59, Bd V. Auriol |
| F-75703 Paris Cedex 13 |

Name:

D.G.C.C.R.F.

Address:

59, Bd V. Auriol

F-75703 Paris Cedex 13

Tel.:

—

Fax:

—

E-mail:

—

4.8   Labelling: All cheeses bearing the PDO Tome des Bauges are sold with an individual label containing the name of the designation of origin. The label bears the name of the PDO written in letters of at least the same size as two thirds of the largest letters contained on the label and the wording ‘protection of designated origin’.

All PDO cheeses must feature the logo containing the ‘INAO’ mark, the mention ‘protection of designated origin’ and the name of the PDO on the label.

The label may refer to ‘farm cheese’ or any other indication suggesting on-farm origin, subject to certain conditions.

4.9   National requirements: Decree on the protection of designated origin Tome des Bauges.

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(1)  European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural Product Quality Policy, B-1049 Brussels.

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III Notices

Cedefop

| 2.9.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 211/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.9.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 211/12

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS — ref: GP/D/ReferNet2/002/06

ReferNet — European Network of Reference and Expertise in VET

(2006/C 211/06)

1.   Objectives and description

The purpose of this call is to award a grant to one organisation (national consortium coordinator) in 8 of the EU Member States and Iceland to lead and coordinate a representative consortium of key organisations in the field of VET in their country and carry out, with them, the following activities: reporting and analysing information on VET systems and developments, research activities, documentary activities, dissemination and promotion activities.

The main objective of ReferNet is to provide Cedefop with a structured and decentralised system for collecting validated data and information on vocational education and training and related issues and support Cedefop's efforts to disseminate it at European and national level. The information must be collected following a methodology and a consultation among members of the consortium.

2.   Eligible applicants

Applications which comply with the eligibility criteria will be the subject of an in depth evaluation.

Eligible organisations:

| — | be a public or a private organisation, with a legal status and legal personality (consequently, natural persons — i.e. individuals — may not submit applications); |
| --- | --- |

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be a public or a private organisation, with a legal status and legal personality (consequently, natural persons — i.e. individuals — may not submit applications);

| — | have the appropriate qualifications and requisite financial and operational resources to perform the activities; |
| --- | --- |

—

have the appropriate qualifications and requisite financial and operational resources to perform the activities;

| — | the national consortium, coordinated by the applicant, must be representative of the interests of vocational education and training within the country (ministries, national and/or sectoral bodies, regional authorities, research organisations and institutes, and the social partners). |
| --- | --- |

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the national consortium, coordinated by the applicant, must be representative of the interests of vocational education and training within the country (ministries, national and/or sectoral bodies, regional authorities, research organisations and institutes, and the social partners).

Eligible countries

| — | 8 EU Member States (Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden) |
| --- | --- |

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8 EU Member States (Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden)

| — | Iceland. |
| --- | --- |

—

Iceland.

Eligible activities

| — | Proposals to be financed must cover the performance of the complete range of activities detailed in the full text of the call. |
| --- | --- |

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Proposals to be financed must cover the performance of the complete range of activities detailed in the full text of the call.

3.   Budget and project duration

The total available budget for the project duration (12 months) is EUR 231 000 for the 8 EU Member States and Iceland.

The Community grant is only an additional financial contribution to the beneficiary's (and/or co-beneficiaries) own financial contribution and/or local, regional, national and/or private contributions obtained elsewhere for the project. The total Community contribution may not exceed 70 % of the eligible costs.

The total available budget will be distributed on the basis of two country groups based on country population:

| — | Luxembourg, Malta and Iceland: maximum grant amount of EUR 19 000 per country. |
| --- | --- |

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Luxembourg, Malta and Iceland: maximum grant amount of EUR 19 000 per country.

| — | Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden: maximum grant amount of EUR 29 000 per country. |
| --- | --- |

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Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden: maximum grant amount of EUR 29 000 per country.

Cedefop reserves the right not to award the total budget available.

4.   Deadline

Applications must be sent to Cedefop no later than 16 October 2006.

5.   Further information

The full text of the call for proposals, the application form and its annexes are available on the Cedefop website at the following address: http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/index.asp?section=3. Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text of the call and be submitted using the forms provided.

The evaluation of proposals will be based on the principles of transparency and equal treatment. All eligible applications will be evaluated by a Committee against the quantitative and qualitative award criteria defined in the full text version of the call. External experts will be invited to participate in the evaluation procedure.

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